Threelys

ABSTRACT

An exemplary wheeled footwear or skate is provided that may include footwear with an upper portion, a sole with a forefoot, an arch, a heel with an opening formed in the bottom surface of the heel with at least one wheel that rolls partially in the opening, at least one wheel adjacent the left side of the forefoot, and at least one wheel adjacent the right side of the forefoot. A user may roll on a surface using the wheels in the opening in the heel, and those positioned adjacent or near the left and right side of the forefoot. In other embodiments, the wheeled footwear may include removable wheels such that the wheeled footwear may be used in three configurations that may include: (i.) walking or running, (ii.) heel rolling, and (iii.) skating using wheels positioned adjacent the forefoot and the heel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), this application claims priority from,and hereby incorporates by reference for all purposes, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/965,163, entitled Threelys, naming RogerR. Adams and Erik C. Purdom as inventors, and filed Aug. 17, 2007.

This patent application hereby incorporates by reference for allpurposes, issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,774 entitled External WheeledHeeling Apparatus and Method naming Roger R. Adams as inventor, filedJun. 19, 2006 and issued Jan. 23, 2007; issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,336,entitled External Wheeled Heeling Apparatus and Method naming Roger R.Adams as inventor, filed Feb. 18, 2003 and issued Jun. 20, 2006; issuedU.S. Pat. No. 6,698,769, entitled Multi-Wheel Heeling Apparatus namingRoger R. Adams and Michael G. Staffaroni as inventors, filed Feb. 3,2003 and issued Mar. 2, 2004; issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,038, entitledHeeling Apparatus and Method naming Roger R. Adams as inventor, filedAug. 14, 2001 and issued Jun. 18, 2002; issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,509,entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method naming Roger R. Adams as inventor,filed Mar. 31, 2000 and issued Sep. 17, 2002; issued U.S. Pat. No.6,739,602, entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method naming Roger R. Adamsas inventor, filed Feb. 7, 2002 and issued May 25, 2004; issued U.S.Pat. No. 6,746,026, entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method naming RogerR. Adams as inventor, filed Feb. 15, 2002 and issued Jun. 8, 2004;issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,003, entitled Heeling Apparatus and Methodnaming Roger R. Adams as inventor, filed Jun. 7, 2004 and issued Dec.27, 2005; and copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/656,595,entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method naming Roger R. Adams as inventor,filed Jan. 22, 2007 and currently pending. All of the patents and patentapplications mentioned in this paragraph are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to the field of action sports andwheeled footwear, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation,to an apparatus with at least one external wheel positioned adjacent ornear the sides of the forefoot of a wheeled footwear, and one or morewheels in an opening or openings in the heel portion of the sole of thewheeled footwear, and associated methods of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Active wheeled footwear with a wheel in the heel was described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,406,038, entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method, which issuedJun. 18, 2002. The wheel or wheels in the heel footwear, popularly knownunder the HEELYS trademark for wheeled footwear, allows a user to walkand/or run and to transition to rolling on a surface by a simple shiftof the user's weight to the heel while elevating the forefoot above thesurface. HEELYS wheeled footwear has created an entirely new sport andactivity with mass appeal due, in part, to the fact that it does notrequire expensive, heavy and cumbersome equipment and its use is notlimited to select or limited areas, such as skating rinks or skateparks.

Inline skates and roller skates, such as conventional quad rollerskates, are expensive and often include heavy frames that are cumbersometo use and that elevate the user several inches above the rollingsurface. This may increase the risk of injury because when users fall,they may be travelling at a high rate of speed and are falling from ahigher, elevated distance, and the increased height and positioning ofthe user requires constant balancing and readjusting of the user, whichdegrades the overall skate experience and feedback to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Wheeled footwear that provides an even more aggressive rollingcapability than “wheel-in-the-heel” wheeled footwear, or the capabilityto roll without having to lift the forefoot, while still enjoying orexperiencing many of the features and benefits of “wheel-in-the-heel”wheeled footwear may include various aspects and additional wheeledfootwear performance characteristics. An apparatus, such as a wheeledfootwear or skate that includes one or more wheels adjacent or near eachside of the forefoot, and one or more wheels in an opening in the heelportion of the sole may be provided. In certain embodiments, thisconfiguration may be known under the trademark THREELYS or TRIFECTA.

In other embodiments, the wheeled footwear or skate may includeremovable external wheels positioned adjacent or near the side of theforefoot of the wheeled footwear, and/or a removable wheel or wheels inthe opening or openings in the heel. In certain embodiments, the wheeledfootwear may be used in three configurations that may include: (i.)walking or running, (ii.) heel rolling using the one or more wheels inthe heel by elevating the forefoot, and (iii.) skating using both thewheels positioned adjacent or near the side of the forefoot and the oneor more wheels in the heel.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the apparatus mayinclude a front wheel adjacent, near or next to each side of theforefoot portion of the footwear, and a heel wheel in an opening in thebottom portion of the heel portion of the sole of the footwear. Incertain embodiments, the apparatus may include removable front wheelssuch that the apparatus may be configured to operate like HEELYS wheeledfootwear with one or more wheels in the heel when the front wheelsremoved. The wheel or wheels in the opening in the heel may beremovable, retractable or permanently coupled or attached.

In other embodiments, the apparatus or wheeled footwear may also includea removable heel wheel(s) such that the apparatus may be configured toremove both the front wheels and the heel wheel(s) to allow a user toutilize the footwear for walking or running. In a preferred embodiment,the footwear is athletic footwear with a flexible forefoot.

The apparatus may be configured, in one embodiment, such that the centeror axis of rotation of the front wheels is positioned above orapproximate at least a portion of the surface of the insole where atleast a portion of the users forefoot, such as the region of theforefoot known as the “ball” of the foot (or the region between the archand the toes of the foot) resides below or almost below the center ofthe front wheels or the axis of rotation of the front wheels. As such,this increases overall stability and ease of use by providing that theuser is closer to the surface being rolled upon in relation to therotating front wheels.

In other embodiments or implementations, the apparatus may be configuredsuch that the front wheels may be angled or positioned such that thewheels have positive/negative or in/out “toe,” “camber,” and/or“castor”.

In still other embodiments or implementations, the apparatus may beconfigured such that the front wheels are offset from one another andnot aligned when viewing from above or from the top. For example, eventhough at least a portion of one front wheel on each side of thefootwear is adjacent or near the forefoot of the footwear on each side,one of the front wheels on one side may be positioned, for example,closer to the front of the footwear as compared to a front wheelpositioned adjacent the forefoot on the other side of the footwear. Thisconfiguration may be referred to as offset.

As a further feature, aspect or implementation of certainimplementations of the apparatus of the invention, a toe start (whichmay also be referred to as a toe brake) may be provided on one or bothof the wheeled footwear on the bottom or adjacent the bottom portion ofthe front of the forefoot of the sole of the footwear. This toe start ortoe brake may also be used to push off of when first starting to move.The apparatus, in certain implementations may also include a “heelbrake.” Because it is believed that braking will include additionalfriction, in one embodiment, a replaceable toe start (which may also bereferred to as a toe brake) pad and/or a replaceable heel brake may alsobe provided.

The various embodiments and implementations of the present inventionprovide a profusion of potential technical advantages and benefits thatmay include one or more of the following. A technical advantage of thepresent invention may include the positioning of the front wheels suchthat their center or axis of rotation of the front wheels is above thebottom of a portion of the users forefoot. In this embodiment, thisincreased stability allows users to easily and safely use the apparatusof the present invention. This is in contrast to quad-roller skates orin-line roller skates where a user resides entirely above the center oraxis of rotation of the wheels.

Another technical advantage of the present invention may includeincreased performance in certain embodiments by eliminating thepossibility for the heel wheels to accidentally or inadvertently comeinto contact with one another while rolling, such as can happen withquad skates and other type roller skates. This increases overallperformance and safety.

Yet another technical advantage of the present invention may include thecapability to have either one or both the front wheels and the heelwheel(s) to be removably coupled. This provides the capability for theapparatus to operate in three modes: (1) regular footwear mode; (2)HEELYS wheeled footwear or heeling mode; and (3) full skate mode. Thisprovides increased overall flexibility, value, comfort and an enhanceduser experience.

Other technical advantages and benefits may be readily apparent to oneskilled in the art from the following detailed description of theinvention when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures,description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following briefdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings anddetailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent likeparts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view that illustrates a heeling apparatus implementedusing an athletic shoe according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are bottom views that illustrate two embodiments of asole of the heeling apparatus with openings in the sole;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are bottom views of the two embodiments of the sole asshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B that illustrate a wheel in each of the openingsof the soles;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view that illustrates a wheel rotatably mountedto an axle, which also may be referred to as a wheel/axle assembly, foruse in a wheel assembly according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view that illustrates a mounting structure foruse with a wheel rotatably mounted to an axle, as illustrated in FIG. 4,to form a wheel assembly;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view that illustrates a wheel assembly that includesthe wheel rotatably mounted on the axle as shown in FIG. 4 and themounting structure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view that illustrates the wheel assembly positionedabove and through the opening in a footwear to form a heeling apparatus;

FIGS. 8A, BB, 8C, and 8D are profile views of various wheels thatillustrate the surface profile of these wheels that may be used invarious embodiments of the heeling apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view that illustrates a mounting structure ofanother embodiment for use in a wheel assembly of a heeling apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view that illustrates a wheel assembly thatuses yet another embodiment for use in a heeling apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a side, partial cutaway view that illustrates one embodimentof a heeling apparatus that illustrates the wheel assembly provided inthe sole of the heeling apparatus and the opening in the sole notextending completely through the sole;

FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment that illustrates theheeling apparatus with a removable wheel cover positioned to cover thewheel and the opening in the sole;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view that illustrates another embodiment with aspherical ball serving as a wheel and positioned in a mounting structurein an opening in the heel portion of the sole;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view that illustrates a “heeler” heel rolling;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view that illustrates a wheel rotatably mountedto an axle, which also may be referred to as a wheel/axle assembly,similar to FIG. 4;

FIG. 16 is a cutaway view that illustrates a collapsible axle of thewheel/axle assembly of FIG. 15 implemented as a spring loadedcollapsible axle;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view that illustrates another mountingstructure for use with the wheel/axle assembly and the collapsible axle,as illustrated in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, to form a wheel assembly;

FIG. 18 is a side, cutaway view that illustrates a wheel assemblypositioned through an opening in a sole that illustrates one embodimentof an axle that couples to the mounting structure to provide aretractable wheel using an assembly that may be referred to as a kingpin arrangement;

FIG. 19 is a bottom view that illustrates the wheel assembly of FIG. 18that further illustrates the dual king pin arrangement;

FIG. 20 is a side view that illustrates one member of the mountingstructure that further illustrates the coupling of the axle to themounting structure using the dual king pin arrangement;

FIG. 21 is a breakaway and perspective view that illustrates a two piecewheel that includes an inner core and an outer tire and that may be usedin the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a side view of a roller skate apparatus, such as a wheeledfootwear or roller skate, implemented according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the wheeled footwear;

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the wheeled footwear of FIG. 23 without thefront wheel assembly that illustrates a brace or member disposed on theforefoot portion of the footwear of the apparatus;

FIG. 25 is a side view of the wheeled footwear of FIG. 24 thatillustrates the heeling apparatus configuration;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a front wheel assembly according to oneimplementation;

FIG. 27 is a bottom view of one embodiment of another wheeled footwear;

FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the wheeled footwear of FIG. 27 with thefront wheel assembly, the heel wheel, and the heel brake not installed;

FIG. 29 is a side view of the wheeled footwear of FIG. 28 in heelingapparatus mode;

FIG. 30 is a perspective, partially unassembled view of a front wheelassembly according to one implementation;

FIG. 31 is a side view of the wheeled footwear of FIG. 27 in rollerskate mode;

FIG. 32 is a front view of the wheeled footwear of FIG. 31 thatillustrates a flexible forefoot of the athletic shoe such that the aportion of the forefoot can extend above the supporting structure of thefront wheel assembly;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing one implementation of the frontwheel assembly interfacing with an arch tab (or tab) structurallycoupled to the heel bracket; and

FIGS. 34-40 are various views of another wheeled footwear, including aremovable front wheel assembly that removably couples to the archportion through a spring biased mechanism to aid with installation andremoval of the front wheel assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It should be understood at the outset that although an exemplaryimplementation of the present invention is illustrated below, thepresent invention may be implemented using any number of techniques,materials, designs, and configurations whether currently known or inexistence. The present invention should in no way be limited to theexemplary implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below,including the exemplary designs and implementations illustrated anddescribed herein. Additionally, the drawings contained herein are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

FIGS. 1 through 21 are illustrated herein to illustrate various aspectsof a heeling apparatus and method, without specifically referencing orillustrating a front wheel assembly, such as a removable front wheelassembly, which is described and illustrated more fully in furtherdrawings and description. The process of walking or running, andtransitioning to rolling using a heeling apparatus is described inconnection with FIGS. 1 through 21. The heeling apparatus, and variouselements and embodiments thereof, may be used in certain embodiments ofa roller skate apparatus, which may be referred to as the THREELYS ORTRIFECTA, that includes wheels adjacent the sides of the forefootportion of the sole as well as one or more wheels in an opening in theheel portion of the sole, such as that provided by the heelingapparatus.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a heeling apparatus 10 implemented using anathletic shoe 12 according to one embodiment of the present invention.The heeling apparatus 10 preferably includes a wheel assembly providedin an opening in the heel portion of the sole of a footwear. For examplethe athletic shoe 12 includes an opening in the bottom of a heel portion18 of a sole 14 with a wheel assembly provided in the hole such that awheel 16 extends below the bottom of the sole 14. The wheel assemblypreferably includes at least one wheel, such as the wheel 16, rotatablymounted on an axle (not illustrated in FIG. 1). The wheel 16 mounted onthe axle is preferably positioned in the opening of the sole 14 througha mounting structure (not illustrated in FIG. 1) that is operable tosupport the axle such that a portion of the wheel 16 extends below theheel portion 18 of the sole 14.

The amount or length of the portion of the wheel 16 that extends belowthe bottom of the sole 14, as defined by a distance 24, will preferablybe less than the diameter of the wheel 16. The distance 24, however, maybe greater than, less than, or equal to the diameter of the wheel 16.

The athletic shoe 12, as is true of most footwear, may be generallydescribed as having the sole 14 and an upper part 26. The upper part 26may be constructed of virtually any material such as, for example,leather, plastic, or canvas. The sole 14 may include three parts: (1) aninner sole or insole (not illustrated in FIG. 1); (2) a midsole 28; and(3) an outer sole or outsole 30. The insole may provide added cushionand may or may not be removable. In some embodiments, the insole mayinclude a removable portion, such as a DR. SCHOLL'S insole, and aportion that remains attached to the athletic shoe 12. The outsole 30,or sole 30, will preferably be made of a durable material, such asrubber, and may have a textured surface, such as with knobbies, toprovide added traction. The midsole 28 will generally be constructed ofa soft or “cushiony” material and will generally be thicker than theinsole and the outsole 30. In some embodiments, however, the sole 14will comprise only one part, such as the leather sole of a loafer. Inother embodiments, the sole 14 may include a separate heel block orobject that elevates the footwear, such as the heel of a leather wingtipdress shoe. This heel block or object may be considered to be part ofthe heel portion 18 of the sole 14. It should be understood that thepresent invention may be implemented in virtually any footwear,irrespective of the design or the make-up of the sole 14. Various stylesof footwear and methods of making footwear are known in the art and areknown by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.4,245,406, 5,319,869, 5,384,973, 5,396,675, 5,572,804, 5,595,004, and5,885,500, which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes,provide various background information regarding various footwear andmethods of making footwear.

In most footwear, including the athletic shoe 12, the sole 14 may alsobe divided into three portions or regions: (1) the heel portion 18, (2)an arch portion 20, and (3) a forefoot portion 22, as illustrated inFIG. 1. It should be understood that the heel portion 18, the archportion 20, and the forefoot portion 22 of the sole 14 are incapable ofbeing exactly defined and located in certain footwear, and that suchportions vary from one footwear type to another. Thus, the location, theboundaries between, and the size of the heel portion 18, the archportion 20, and the forefoot portion 22 of the sole 14 are only roughapproximations as shown in FIG. 1.

It should also be understood that although the position of the openingin the bottom of the sole 14, and hence also the wheel 16, is preferablylocated in the heel portion 18 of the sole 14, such an opening may alsobe located at the boundary of the heel portion 18 and the arch portion20, at the arch portion 20, or at virtually any other location on thesole 14. The opening in the bottom of the sole 14 may extend entirelythrough the sole 14, e.g., through the outsole, the midsole and theinsole, or only partially through the sole 14, e.g., through theoutsole, and a portion or all of the midsole.

The wheel 16 may be constructed or made of virtually any known oravailable material such as, for example, a urethane, a plastic, apolymer, a metal, an alloy, a wood, a rubber, a composite material, andthe like. This may include, for example, aluminum, titanium, steel, anda resin. Preferably, the material will be durable, provide quietperformance, and will provide a “soft” or “cushioning” feel. In oneembodiment, the wheel 16 may be implemented as one or more precisionbearings such that the precision bearing serves as the wheel 16 itself.In yet another embodiment, the wheel assembly may include a spring orsuspension such as, for example, a leaf spring, to provide additionalcushion or suspension when the wheel 16 contacts a surface and a forceis applied to the athletic shoe 12 in the direction of the surface, suchas when someone is wearing and walking in the heeling apparatus 10. Thespring is preferably provided as part of the mounting structure of thewheel assembly. In still another embodiment, the wheel 16 is provided asa two piece wheel with an inner core, such as a hard inner core,surrounded by an outer tire, such as a urethane tire.

Depending on the desired implementation, the wheel 16 and the axle maybe removable from the wheel assembly. In other embodiments, the wheel 16may be retractably engaged in the opening, and/or permanently ornon-removably engaged in the opening such that the wheel 16 cannot beeasily removed without some effort, such as, for example, through theuse of tools. A removable cover may be provided in the opening in thesole 14 to cover the opening so that debris and dirt does not enter theopening. The removable cover may be provided in virtually any availableconfiguration readily ascertainable by one of ordinary skill in the art.In one embodiment of the removable cover, an axle portion of theremovable cover fits and/or couples to the mounting structure in thesame or similar manner that the axle in which the wheel 16 is mountedfits and/or couples to the mounting structure of the wheel assembly. Atool may also be provided to facilitate the removal of the axle andwheel 16. This tool will, preferably, be small and multi-functional toprovide any other possible adjustments to the heeling apparatus 10, suchas a screw driver, a wrench, and the like. In other embodiments of theheeling apparatus 10, the wheel 16 may be retractable into the openingin the sole 14. In this manner, the wheel 16 may be retracted into thesole 14 and, thus, will not extend below the bottom of the sole 14. Thisallows the heeling apparatus 10 to function just like ordinary footwear,such as the athletic shoe 12.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the wheel assembly does notinclude an axle, and, arguably, not a mounting structure, and the wheel16 is provided as a sphere, such as a stainless steel ball bearing, thatis rotatably positioned in the opening in the bottom of the heel portion18 of the sole 14, one embodiment of which is shown in FIG. 13. Inanother embodiment, the wheel assembly comprises an axle positionedcompletely through or partially through the heel portion 18 of the sole14 such that the sole 14 supports the axle and the wheel is rotatablymounted on the axle in the opening of the sole 14. In this manner, theneed for the mounting structure is eliminated.

In operation, and in one embodiment of the heeling apparatus, a personwearing the heeling apparatus 10 may either walk normally or roll on thewheel 16 by lifting or raising the sole 14 so that only or almost onlythe wheel 16 contacts a surface. This action may be referred to as “HEELSKATING” or to “HEEL.” The wheel 16, depending on the desiredimplementation of the present invention, may be removed or retracted toa position such that the wheel 16 does not extend below the bottom ofthe sole 14. This, generally, will result in the heeling apparatus 10performing like an associated footwear. When the wheel 16 is removed orretracted, a removable cover may be placed over the opening in thebottom of the sole 14 to prevent debris from entering the opening andpotentially damaging the wheel assembly. In still other embodiments, aremovable cover may be placed over the wheel 16 while a portion of thewheel 16 remains extended below the bottom of the sole 14 to assist withwalking, an example of this is illustrated in FIG. 12.

It should be understood, however, that even if the wheel 16 is notremoved or retracted as just described, the user may still comfortablywalk and run, even with the wheel 16 extended. This generally occursbecause the distance 24 can be minimal, which provides a unique“stealth” or “covert” aspect to heeling. This also results in the wheelrolling the opening or hole in the sole 14 of the heeling apparatus 10.In one embodiment, the distance 24 is less than the radius of the wheel16, which results in most of the wheel residing within the opening ofthe sole 14.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are bottom views of two embodiments of the sole 14 ofthe heeling apparatus 10. In particular, the outsole 30 or bottom of thesole 14 is illustrated in FIG. 2A with an opening 40 in the heel portion18 of the sole 14. In the embodiment illustrated, the opening 40 isprovided in a square or rectangular configuration. The opening 40,however, may be provided in virtually any configuration, such as, forexample, a circular or an elliptical configuration.

As mentioned previously, the opening 40 may extend partially orcompletely through the sole 14. The opening 40 may be provided through aheel block or object. Further, the opening 40 may be positioned in,near, or in a combination of the heel portion 18, the arch portion 20,and the forefoot portion 22.

FIG. 2B illustrates a second embodiment as to the placement andconfiguration of the opening 40. The outsole 30 is illustrated with anopening 40A and an opening 40B in the heel portion 18 of the sole 14. Inthis manner, one or more wheels, including one or more axles, may bepositioned in both the opening 40A and 40B.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are bottom views of the two embodiments of the sole 14as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and illustrate a wheel in each of theopenings of the soles. This includes a wheel 42 positioned in theopening 40 in FIG. 3A and a wheel 42A and a wheel 42B in the openings40A and 40B, respectively, of FIG. 3B.

The wheel 42 and the wheels 42A and 42B are illustrated as cylindricalwheels. These wheels, however, may be provided in virtually anyavailable configuration. Further, one or more wheels may be positionedin each opening.

FIG. 3A further illustrates other elements of the wheel assembly thatinclude a first member 48 and a second member 54 of a mounting structurethat is used to removably couple with an axle 50. The axle 50 extendsthrough the wheel 42 such that the wheel 42 is rotatably coupled ormounted to the axle 50. This preferably involves the use of precisionbearings, such as high performance precision bearings, provided in arecess, such as an annular recess, on either side of the wheel 42. Afirst precision bearing 56 and a second precision bearing 58 may be ABECgrade precision bearings and are illustrated with hidden lines andpositioned in the first recess and second recess of the wheel 42. Inalternative embodiment, loose ball bearings may be used.

The axle 50 may be made of any material that provides suitable physicalcharacteristics, such as strength and weight, to name a few. The axle 50is preferably made of hardened steel, is cylindrical in shape, each endis rounded, and is removably coupled with a first member 48 and a secondmember 54, respectively, of the mounting structure. The removablecoupling between each end of the axle 50 and the first member 48 and thesecond member 54 may be achieved by any known or available mechanism. Ina preferred embodiment, a sphere or a ball bearing, preferably using amoveable spring and/or a screw bias, is used to contact and exert a sidewall force between one or members of the mounting structure and the axle50.

It should also be noted that because the weight of the user of theheeling apparatus 10 will exert a significant downward force and theground or surface will exert an equal force upward, the axle 50, and,hence, the wheel 42 will generally be forced into place. Only when theheel is raised from a surface will any force or friction be required tokeep the axle 50 in place. Thus, the present invention does not requirea large side force to keep the axle 50 and the wheel 42 in place. Therecognition of this fact may be considered an aspect of the presentinvention for the embodiment as shown. This recognition allows theremovable coupling between each end of the axle 50 and the first member48 and the second member 54 to be optimally designed.

FIG. 3A also illustrates a grind plate 44 (which also may be referred toas a slide plate 44) that may be used in conjunction with the heelingapparatus 10 of the present invention. The grind plate 44 provides asmooth or relatively smooth surface to allow a user to “grind” or“slide” on various surfaces such as hand rails, curbs, steps, corners,and the like. The grind plate 44 is preferably somewhat thin and made ofa plastic or polymer material. In a preferred embodiment, the grindplate 44 is removably attached to the arch portion 20 of the outsole 30of the sole 14. The grind plate 44 may be attached using any known oravailable fastener, such as, for example, a fastener 46 shown in variouslocations around the periphery of the grind plate 44.

FIG. 3B further illustrates an axle 52 in which the wheel 42A and thewheel 42B are coupled to either end in the opening 40A and the opening40B, respectively. The axle 52 extends through both the wheels 42A and42B and through a portion of sole 14, not visible in FIG. 3B. Thisserves to support the axle 52 and illustrates the situation where thesole 14 serves as the mounting structure of the wheel assembly. Thisreduces the overall number of parts. In an alternative embodiment, ametal or some other suitable material may be used within the heelportion 18 of the sole 14 where the axle 52 is positioned to provideadditional support and stability. This is an example where the mountingstructure is, in effect, integrated into the sole 14. As can beappreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention may beimplemented in any number of ways.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a wheel 60 rotatably mounted on an axle62, which also may be referred to as a wheel/axle assembly, for use in awheel assembly, or in a heeling apparatus, according to one embodimentof the present invention. The wheel 60 and the axle 62 may also bereferred to as a wheel/axle assembly 400. In this embodiment, the axle62 extends through the wheel 60 and includes two ends that are roundedor bullet shaped. A precision bearing 64 is shown positioned in arecess, which is shown as an annular recess, of the wheel 60 tofacilitate the rotation of the wheel 60 around the axle 62. Preferably asecond precision bearing is positioned in a second recess, not shown inFIG. 4, to further facilitate such rotation.

A slip clip, slip ring, or ring clip 66 is shown positioned around, ornearly around, the axle 62 near the precision bearing 64. This serves toensure that the precision bearing 64 remains in place in the recess ofthe wheel 60. The slip clip or ring clip 66 will preferably bepositioned on the axle 62 through a groove, such as a radial groove orradial indentation, in the axle 62. It should be understood, however,that one of ordinary skill in the art may use any of a variety of otherarrangements to ensure that the precision bearing 64 stays in position.In alternative embodiments, the precision bearing 64 may be eliminatedor loose bearings may be used.

The wheel 60 rotatably mounted on the axle 62 may, in alternativeembodiments, serve as the wheel assembly of the present invention. Insuch a case, the axle 62 may be mounted to the sole, such as the midsoleand heel portion, at its ends while the wheel 60 is rotatably providedin the opening of the sole. In this manner, the need for a mountingstructure may be thought of as eliminated or, alternatively, themounting structure may be thought of as integrated into the sole of thefootwear.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting structure 70 for use with awheel rotatably mounted to an axle, such as is illustrated in FIG. 4, toform a wheel assembly. The mounting structure 70 generally includes aheel control plate 72, a first member 74, and a second member 76. Inalternative embodiments, a spring, such as a leaf spring, could beprovided where the two members contact the heel control plate 72. Thiswould provide the added benefit of greater cushion and suspension. Thetwo members include an opening, such as the opening 78 of the firstmember 74 to receive an end of an axle. It should be mentioned that theopening may be provided in virtually any configuration, includingextending through the member, or placed at different positions, or evenmultiple positions for mounting the wheel/axle assembly 400 at aretractable position and an extended position, on the member.

The axle that is to be positioned in the openings of the first member 74and the second member 76 will preferably be removably coupled. This maybe achieved by any number of arrangements and configurations, all ofwhich fall within the scope of the present invention. One sucharrangement is the screw/spring/ball bearing arrangement 80 provided infirst member 74. This arrangement provides an adjustable bias or forcethat can be exerted against the axle when it is inserted into theopening 78. The screw is accessible and adjustable by the user. Theturning of the screw affects the compression of a spring which, in turn,provides a force on a ball bearing that extends out into the opening 78.When the axle is inserted into the opening 78, the ball bearing may bedisplaced an amount and the screw/spring/ball bearing arrangement 80will provide a side force to allow the axle to be secure, yet removable.A similar arrangement may also be provided in the second member 76 toprovide a friction fit or coupling on the other end of the axle 62.

Although the screw/spring/ball bearing arrangement 80 of FIG. 5 is shownbeing implemented through a horizontal opening in the first member 74,it may be implemented in using an opening aligned in virtually anymanner in the member. For example, the adjustment of the tension orpressure on the screw/spring/ball arrangement 80 may be achieved througha diagonal opening such that the exposed end of the screw/spring/ballarrangement 80, normally a screw head end, is provided where thereference line for numeral 74 in FIG. 5 contacts the first member 74.This provides easier access to adjust the tension and friction fit onthe axle 62 when the wheel assembly, such as wheel assembly 100 of FIG.6, is engaged or positioned within the opening of a sole to form aheeling apparatus. Of course, any of a variety of other arrangements,configurations, and opening alignments may be contemplated andimplemented under the present invention.

The mounting structure 70 can be made or constructed of virtually anymaterial, generally depending on the desired mechanical characteristicssuch as, for example, rigidity and strength. These materials mayinclude, for example, a plastic, a polymer, a metal, an alloy, a wood, arubber, a composite material, and the like. This may include aluminum,titanium, steel, and a resin. In one embodiment, the mounting structure70 is made of a metal, such as aluminum, that has been anodized suchthat the mounting structure 70 presents a black color or hue.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a wheel assembly 100 that includes the wheel60 rotatably mounted to the axle 62, as shown in FIG. 4, and themounting structure 70 of FIG. 5. The first member 74 and the secondmember 76 each removably couple with the ends of the axle 62 through abias mechanism implemented using a bias mechanism, such as thescrew/spring/ball bearing arrangement 80. A ball bearing 102 is showncontacting one end of the axle 62 in the opening 78. Further slip clipsor ring clips (which may also be referred to as snap rings or sliprings), such as ring clip 66, are provided to ensure that the precisionbearings positioned in the recesses of the wheel remain in position.

The heel control plate 72 allows the user of the heeling apparatus togain greater control and to obtain greater performance out of theheeling apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the wheel assembly 100 positioned above andthrough the opening to form a heeling apparatus 120. The heel controlplate 72 resides inside the shoe so that the heel of the user may applypressure to the heel control plate as desired to provide better handlingand performance of the heeling apparatus 120.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are profile views of various wheels 200 thatillustrates the surface profile of these wheels that may be used invarious embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 8A, a wheel 202 isshown with a flat or square surface or exterior profile 204. In FIG. 8B,a wheel 206 is shown with an inverted surface profile 208. In FIG. 8 c,a wheel 210 is shown with round surface profile 212. Finally, in FIG.8D, a wheel 214 is shown with a steep surface profile 216. The presentinvention may incorporate virtually any available surface profile of awheel, including those used for the front wheels described below inconnection with the roller skate configuration.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view that illustrates a mounting structure 500of another embodiment for use in a wheel assembly of a heelingapparatus. The mounting structure 500 includes an axle 502, which may beconsidered one axle that extends through and is mounted through a member50 or as an axle 502 that couples with the member 506 along with an axle504 that couples with the member 506 opposite axle 502. The mountingstructure 500 also includes a heel control plate 508 coupled with themember 506.

The mounting structure 500 allows for two wheels to be mounted to form awheel assembly. A wheel may be rotatably mounted on the axle 502,preferably using a precision bearing, and a wheel may be rotatablymounted on the axle 504, also preferably through a precision bearing asillustrated previously herein.

The axle 502 and the axle 504 include a threaded portion such that anut, such as a lock nut 510 may be included to secure a wheel to eachaxle. In other embodiments, the end of the axles may include internalthreads, as opposed to external threads as shown, so that a screw, suchas the hex screw as shown in FIG. 10. It should be understood thatvirtually any available coupling may be provided between the axle andthe member. FIGS. 9 and 10 are examples of a non-removable andnon-retractable wheels and associates assemblies or mounting structures.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view that illustrates a wheel assembly 520 thatuses yet another embodiment for use in a heeling apparatus and includesa wheel 522 rotatably mounted to an axle 524 using a precision bearing526, and a first member 528 and a second member 530 coupled to each endof the axle 524 through a screw, such as hex screw 532. The wheelassembly 520 is similar to wheel assembly 100, which was described abovein connection with FIG. 6, except that the wheel/axle assembly cannot beas easily inserted and removed.

FIG. 11 is a side, partial cutaway view that illustrates one embodimentof a heeling apparatus 600 that illustrates a wheel assembly 602provided in a sole 604 and an opening 606 in the sole 604 that does notextend completely through the sole 604. As such, the mounting structure608 may be provided or integrated into the sole 604 and may not bereadily or easily removed. A wheel 610 is also shown extending partiallybelow the bottom of the sole 604, which provides the advantage ofstealth heeling.

FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment that illustrates a heelingapparatus 620 of the present invention with a removable wheel cover 622positioned to cover a wheel 624 and an opening 626 in a sole 628. Theremovable wheel cover 622 allows for the wheel to be provided in anextended position, i.e., below the bottom surface of the sole 628, yetnot engage a surface to roll. Although the heeling apparatus 620 of thepresent invention allows a user to walk and run, even with the wheel inan engaged position, the removable wheel cover 622 provides protectionfrom dirt and debris and provides greater stability.

In an alternative embodiment, a wheel stop, not expressly shown in FIG.12, may be provided, in lieu of or in conjunction with the removablewheel cover 622, to stop the rotation of the wheel 624. In oneembodiment, the wheel stop is made of virtually any material, such as asponge or flexible material, that can be wedged between the wheel 624and the opening 626 to stop or prevent the rotation of the wheel 624 andto stay in place through friction.

In other embodiments of the wheel cover 622, a wheel cover is providedwhen the wheel 624 has been removed from the heeling apparatus 620. In apreferred embodiment, this wheel cover is generally flush with theremainder of the bottom of the sole 628, and, hence, provides thefunction of a regular shoe when desired and protects the opening. Thiswheel cover may couple in any available manner, but preferably willcouple to the wheel assembly in the same or similar manner that thewheel/axle assembly couples to the mounting structure. The removablewheel cover could clip or attach to the wheel assembly in many differentways.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view that illustrates another embodiment of aheeling apparatus 700 with a spherical ball 702 serving as a wheel andpositioned in a mounting structure 704 in an opening in the heel portionof the sole 706.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view that illustrates a “heeler” 800 using anembodiment of a heeling apparatus to “heel skate” Heel skating can beachieved using various techniques and, generally, requires a skill setof balance, positioning, flexibility, and coordination.

An illustrative method for using a heeling apparatus on a surface mayinclude running on a surface by using a forefoot portion of a sole ofthe heeling apparatus to contact the surface, which may be referred toas a non-rolling mode, and then rolling on the surface with a wheel ofthe heeling apparatus extended below the bottom of the sole through anopening in the sole by using a wheel of the heeling apparatus to contactthe surface. Before running on a surface, the method may include walkingon the surface, also a non-rolling mode, while wearing the heelingapparatus with a wheel of the heeling apparatus extended below thebottom of a sole portion of the heeling apparatus before running on thesurface.

The method of heeling may also include engaging the wheel of the heelingapparatus to extend below the bottom of the sole portion of the heelingapparatus before walking on the surface. The method may also includewalking on the surface while wearing the heeling apparatus beforeengaging the wheel of the heeling apparatus and with the wheel of theheeling apparatus retracted. Other variations on the method may includetransitioning from rolling on the surface to either running, walking, orstopping on the surface by running on the surface through using theforefoot portion of the sole of the heeling apparatus to contact thesurface just after rolling on the surface.

The preferred position while heel skating is illustrated by the heelskater or heeler 800 in FIG. 14 where one heeling apparatus 802 isplaced in front of the other heeling apparatus 804 while rolling on asurface. As can be seen from a back heel portion 806 of the heelingapparatus 804, sometimes the clearance between the back heel portion 806and the surface is small. As a result, in a preferred embodiment, theback heel portion may implement any number of techniques for slowing orstopping. For example, rolling may be slowed by contacting the forefootportion of the sole of the heeling apparatus to contact the surface tocreate friction and to remove the wheel from the surface. Anotherexample includes slowing by contacting a heel portion of the sole of theheeling apparatus to contact the surface, such as a portion of the heelportion behind the opening and wheel, which may be referred to as a heelbrake. In some embodiments, the heel brake may be aremovable/replaceable portion of the heel portion if it becomesexcessively worn.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view that illustrates a wheel 902 rotatablymounted to a collapsible axle 904, which also may be referred to as awheel/axle assembly 900, similar to FIG. 4. The collapsible axle 904 maybe implemented in any number of ways, such as an adjustable axle that isspring loaded, similar to what is shown in FIG. 16, or as a screwcollapsible axle. This allows the wheel/axle assembly 900 to be moreeasily removable and/or retractable to a position where the wheel wouldnot engage the ground if the wheel/axle assembly 900 were implemented ina heeling apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a cutaway view that illustrates a collapsible axle 904 of thewheel/axle assembly 900 of FIG. 15 implemented as a spring loadedcollapsible axle. As can be seen, the collapsible axle 904 may beadjusted or shortened by inwardly compressing both ends of thecollapsible axle 904 to overcome the internal spring force.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view that illustrates another mountingstructure 920 for use with the wheel/axle assembly 900 and thecollapsible axle 904, as illustrated in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16,respectively, to form a wheel assembly. The collapsible axle 904 maycouple to a first member 922 and a second member 924 at a first position926 at the first member 922 and the second member 924 so that the wheelis in a retracted position. The collapsible axle 904 may also couple tothe first member 922 and the second member 924 at a second position 928so that the wheel is in an extended position for rolling.

FIG. 18 is a side, cutaway view that illustrates a wheel assembly 940positioned through an opening in a sole 942 that illustrates oneembodiment of an axle 944 that couples to a mounting structure 946 toprovide a retractable wheel 948 using an assembly that may be referredto as a king pin arrangement or dual king pin arrangement. This allowsthe retractable wheel 948 to be adjusted up or down, as desired, andfrom a retractable position to an extended position. A king pin 950(which may be implemented as a threaded screw or bolt) is shownthreadingly engaged in a threaded opening in a member of the mountingstructure 946. As the king pin 950 is screwed further into the openingin the member, the axle 944 is further retracted. A king pin 950 willalso be provided at the other member to raise the other side of the axle944. In other embodiments, such as the mounting structure 500 in FIG. 9,a single king pin could be provided through the single member to provideretractable wheels through the coupling of the members and the axle.

An example of a king pin type assembly is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.4,295,655, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes,issued to David L. Landay, et al., was filed on Jul. 18, 1979, wasissued Oct. 20, 1981. This patent illustrates a king pin type assemblythat could be implemented in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view that illustrates the wheel assembly 940 of FIG.18 and further illustrates the dual king pin arrangement and the kingpins 950 through the members of the mounting structure 946.

FIG. 20 is a side view that illustrates one member of the mountingstructure 946 and further illustrates the coupling of the axle 944 tothe mounting structure 946 using the dual king pin arrangement similarto FIG. 18. As discussed above, this allows the axle 944, and hence theattached wheel, to be transitioned to any of a desired levels, and froma retracted position to an extended position.

It should be understood that the axle may couple to a member of amounting structure using any available technique and in virtually anunlimited number of ways. For example, an axle may couple to the firstmember and the second member of a mounting structure to move from aretracted position to an extended position through a spring arrangement.Similarly, an axle may couple to the first member and the second memberof a mounting structure to move from a retracted position to an extendedposition through a hinged arrangement.

Many other examples are possible, for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,643,which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, issued toWalter Schreyer, et al., was filed on May 23, 1975, was issued Oct. 5,1976 illustrates a retractable mechanism that may be implemented in oneembodiment of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,327, which isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes, issued to Raymond J.Gallant, was filed on Jun. 20, 1997, issued on Jul. 28, 1998 illustratessimultaneously retractable wheels.

FIG. 21 is a breakaway and perspective view that illustrates a two piecewheel 970 that includes an inner core 972, an outer tire 974, such as aurethane wheel, an axle 976 (which may not be shown to skill), and abearing 978 that may be used in the present invention. In a preferredembodiment, the bearing 978 is small in comparison to the two piecewheel 970, for example, the bearing 978 may have an outer diameter thatis less than half the outer diameter of the outer tire 974. This canprovide significant advantages, that include a softer ride, bettercontrol, and are longer lasting. This is because the outer tire 974 canbe larger and thicker. In other embodiments, the bearing 978 is largerand has an outer diameter that is more than half the outer diameter ofthe outer tire 974. In a preferred embodiment, the inner core portion ofthe two piece wheel is made of a harder material that provides rigidityfor enhanced bearing support, while the outer tire portion is made of asofter material, such as a soft urethane, for improved performance and aquieter ride. These types of wheels may be referred to as a “dualdurometer” type wheel.

FIGS. 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 illustrate various aspects of an exemplarywheeled footwear apparatus, roller skate or “Threelys” that may be usedfor walking, running and rolling on a surface according to one or moreaspects of the present invention. It should be appreciated, however,that the present invention is not limited to the construction,configuration and implementations of the footwear illustrated in theseFIGURES and may be utilized on any footwear or with additional ordifferent components or configuration which are within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a side view of an apparatus, such as a roller skate apparatusor wheeled footwear 1000, implemented according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. The roller skate 1000 is shown implemented using anathletic shoe 1014 according to one embodiment of the present invention.The wheeled footwear 1000 preferably includes a rear wheel assembly 1018provided in a cavity or an opening 1023 in the heel portion 1026 of thesole 1030. The rear wheel assembly 1018 is disposed or positioned in theopening 1023 such that a wheel 1034 extends at least partially below thebottom of the sole 1030 in the heel portion 1026. The rear wheelassembly 1018 preferably includes at least one wheel, such as the wheel1034, rotatably mounted on an axle as illustrated in FIG. 1B. The wheel1034 mounted on the axle is preferably positioned in the opening 1023 ofthe sole 1030 through a mounting structure (not illustrated) that isoperable to support the axle such that a portion of the wheel 1034(which may be referred to as a heel wheel or rear heel wheel) extendsbelow the heel portion 1026 of the sole 1030. In certainimplementations, the wheel 1034 may be removably mounted in the opening1023. In other implementations the wheel 1034 may be retractablemounted, and in other implementations the wheel 1034 may benon-removably and non-retractably mounted in the opening 1023.

The amount or length of the portion of the wheel 1034 that extends belowthe bottom of the sole 1030, as defined by a distance 1024, willpreferably be less than the diameter of the wheel 1034. The distance1024, however, may be greater than, less than, or equal to the diameterof the wheel 1034.

The wheeled footwear 1000, in one embodiment, includes a front wheelassembly 1042 mounted on the forefoot portion 1022 of the sole 1030 suchthat at least one wheel is rotatably mounted adjacent each side of theforefoot portion 1022 of the sole 1030 to provide a roller skateimplementation of the wheeled footwear 1000. For example, the frontright wheel 1046 is shown rotatably positioned adjacent or near the sideof the forefoot portion 1022. A front left wheel, not shown in FIG. 22,will be rotatably disposed or positioned adjacent or near the left sideof the forefoot portion 1022 of the footwear of the wheeled footwear1000. The front wheels may elevate the bottom surface of the forefootportion a distance above the rolling surface, such as the distance 1044as shown. The combination of the front wheels, and the rear heel wheelelevates the entire bottom of the sole 1030 so that the wheeled footwearfunctions as a roller skate. If the front wheels can be removed, incertain implementations, the wheeled footwear 1000 may then function asa heeling apparatus to allow a user to walk or run and transition to aheel rolling state as described above and herein. If the rear wheel 1034is removable, the wheeled footwear may function as ordinary footwear,such as the athletic shoe 1014 with an upper portion and a flexibleforefoot portion 1022.

In other embodiments, the wheeled footwear 1000 does not include a frontwheel assembly, but the front wheels are rotatably positioned adjacentor near the sides, such as the outer peripheral sides, of the forefootportion 1022. These front wheels may be connected directly to the soleusing any known or available mechanism for connecting such wheels aswould be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In oneembodiment, such front wheels may be removably coupled such as throughan axle, spring arrangement. In other implementations the front wheelsmay be non-removably coupled to the forefoot portion 1022.

Assuming the front wheel assembly 1042 is provided, the front wheelassembly 1042 may be removably mounted to sole 1030, such as through thebottom portion and/or side portion of the forefoot portion 1022 of thesole 1030, and/or through the arch portion 1020 of the sole 1030. Thefront wheel assembly 1042 will generally include a right front wheel,such as the right front wheel 1046, a left front wheel, not shown inFIG. 22, and support members, such as a right wheel support and a leftwheel support to rotatably support the front wheels adjacent or near theside of the forefoot portion 1022. The front wheel assembly 1042 willalso preferably include a support frame (not expressly shown in FIG. 22)that is positioned on the underside of the bottom surface of the sole1030.

In one implementation the center of rotation or axis of rotation of theright front wheel 1046 is shown by the center “dot” or “point” of theright front wheel 1046, and may be thought of as an axis that extendsinto and out of the drawing. Similarly, the dotted line 1012 may bedesignated as an imaginary plane that extends into the drawing page, andparallel to the ground or surface that is being rolled upon by thewheeled footwear 1000. In a preferred embodiment, at least a part of thebottom of the forefoot portion of the user's foot (such as the “ball” ofthe user's foot) that resides between the right and left front wheels ispositioned in the upper of the athletic footwear on top of an insoleportion at a point below or near the axis of rotation on one or both ofthe front wheels, or below the imaginary plane designated by the dottedline 1012, such as that level within the footwear designated by line1048. This should increase overall “ridability,” ease of use, andmechanical stability while using. This increases overall safety ofoperation as compared to a quad roller skate or inline skate. In otherembodiments, that part of the user's forefoot may reside at or near theaxis of rotation, or slightly above the axis of rotation at a level suchas that illustrated by line 1040. The axis of rotation between the rightand left front wheels will preferably be the same or similar, but notnecessarily.

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the wheeled footwear 1000.As illustrated in FIG. 23, the front wheel assembly 1042 has at leasttwo front wheels 1046 and 1050 rotatably mounted on support frame, suchas a connecting member 1054, that extends generally across the bottom ofthe forefoot portion of the sole. The front wheels 1046 and 1050 aremounted on an axle and a right wheel support and a left wheel support ofthe front wheel assembly 1042 such that each of the two front wheels1046 and 1050 rotate beside an outer peripheral edge of the forefootportion 1022 at a desired height, as discussed above.

The rear heel wheel 1034 is shown removably coupled in the opening 1023in the heel portion 1026. A grind plate 1059 is shown in the archportion 1020 in the implementation of the wheeled footwear 1000 shown inFIG. 23. A toe brake 1043 (or sometimes referred to as a brake pad, atoe stop or toe start) is shown provided as part of the supportingstructure of the front wheel assembly 1042. In other embodiments, thetoe brake 1043 may be provided independent of the front wheel assembly1042. The toe brake 1043 may be used to stop forward motion whenrolling, and may include a replaceable pad, as shown in FIG. 23, whenworn down. The toe brake 1043 may be used as a “toe start” to providetraction to allow for a fast start to engage rolling when starting froma stopped position. In other embodiments, the toe brake 1043 resides atthe front of the forefoot portion 1022 or near the front but on thebottom surface of the forefoot portion 1022.

A right release lever 1061 (also known as a right coupling member) and aleft release lever 1047 (also known as a left coupling member) are shownas part of the front wheel assembly 1042 to provide a releasable orremovable front wheel assembly 1042.

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the wheeled footwear 1000 of FIG. 23 withoutthe front wheel assembly 1042 and with the rear wheel 1043 removed fromthe opening 1023. A brace or member 1064 is shown disposed on or in theforefoot portion of the footwear extending generally from the rightforefoot side to the left forefoot side. The member 1064 includesgrooves (or receiving slots or brackets) such as a right groove 1072that extends at least partially up the right side of the forefootportion 1022, and a left groove 1068 that extends at least partially upthe left side of the forefoot portion 1022. The grooves and the member1064 provide a mating junction for the front wheel assembly 1042 toremovably couple to the wheeled footwear 1000. The right release lever1061 (also known as a right coupling member) of the front wheel assembly1042 couples with the right groove 1072, and the left release lever 1047(also known as a left coupling member) couples with the left groove1068.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the apparatus or wheeled footwear 1000 of FIG.24 that illustrates upwardly extending portions or groove 1072 of themember 1064 to engage the front wheel assembly 1042. The heel wheel 1034is shown such that the wheeled footwear 1000 is operable to function asa heeling apparatus in this state with the front wheel assembly 1042removed.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the front wheel assembly 1042 in moredetail according to one implementation. The front wheel assembly 1042includes the right front wheel 1046, the right release lever 1061 (alsoknown as a right coupling member), the left front wheel 1050, the leftrelease lever 1047 (also known as a left coupling member, the toe brake1043, and the supporting frame or connecting member 1054. Two upwardlyextending portions 1088 and 1092 each at opposite ends of the connectingmember 1084 are illustrated and used to connect with the right groove1072 and the left groove 1068, respectively. The release levers provideadditional friction to secure these connections. Thus, the front wheelassembly 1042 extends upwardly to position the rotatably mounted frontwheels 1046 and 1050 at a height or distance above the surface asdesired.

By mounting the front wheels 1046 and 1050 as desired, the axis ofrotation of the front wheels 1046 and 1050 is elevated to provideimproved performance as discussed previously. As discussed, by elevatingthe axis of rotation of the front wheels 1046 and 1050 above the bottomof a part of the user's foot, stability is increased when a user is in arolling mode, such as a roller skating mode. In one embodiment, at leasta portion of the bottom of the forefoot of the user's foot is positionedbelow the axis of rotation while the user is rolling in the wheeledfootwear. As the axis of rotation of the front wheels 1046 and 1050 iselevated with respect to the bottom of the sole 1030, the user in arolling mode skates closer to the ground in addition to being providedmore stability, which further increases the safety of operation of thewheeled footwear 1000.

As will be appreciated, when the front wheel assembly 1042 is attachedto the wheeled footwear 1000, the sole 3000 does not engage the surfaceand remains above the surface. Thus, the wheeled footwear 1000 istransformed into a skate or rolling wheeled footwear apparatus havingtwo front wheels and at least one rear wheel. In other embodiments,additional front wheels may be added. The three-wheeled footwear permitsusers to engage in more aggressive rolling than is possible with atraditional wheel in the heel shoe featuring only one wheel at the rear.With a traditional wheel in the heel footwear, a user in a rolling modemust transfer the user's weight to the heel of the footwear so that theforefoot does not engage the surface, thus permitting the user to roll.Because the user is required to maintain his weight on the heel at alltimes during rolling action, aggressive rolling may not always bepossible using the traditional wheel in the heel footwear.

In contrast, the roller skate apparatus or wheeled footwear 1000disclosed herein features, in a preferred embodiment, two front wheelsand at least one rear wheel. The three wheels cooperatively operate toelevate the sole 30 above the surface, thus permitting more aggressiveand relaxed rolling as desired by some skaters. Also, as discussedbefore, by elevating the axis of rotation of the front wheels 1046 and1050 relative to at least a portion of the bottom of the user'sforefoot, increased stability and ease of use is provided during arolling mode, thereby decreasing the likelihood of the user accidentallylosing balance.

In one embodiment, the front wheel assembly 1042 is adjustably coupledto the footwear 10 such that the distance 1044 of FIG. 1 can be adjusteddepending on the preference of a particular user. In other words, thefront wheel assembly 1042 can be adjusted by the user so that the lengthof the portion of the wheels 1046 and 1050 that extend below the bottomof the sole 1030, as defined by the distance 1044 illustrated in FIG. 1,can be varied.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various well knownmechanisms can be implemented in the front wheel assembly 1042 and thesupporting structure such as connecting member 1054 that willcooperatively permit adjustment of the distance 1044. For example, thefront wheel assembly 1042 can have a slide and lock mechanism permittingthe adjustment of the distance 1044. Also, a series of complementaryopenings may be provided to allow a user to set the front wheels to adesired position.

When the front wheel assembly 1042 is removed, the forefoot portion 1022engages the surface for walking and running and is inoperable forrolling on the surface. The primary contact of the wheeled footwear 1000with the surface is provided by the forefoot portion 1022 and as suchthe wheeled footwear 1000 does not roll, even if the heel wheel 1034 isstill contacting the surface. Thus, by removing the front wheel assembly1042, the wheeled footwear 1000 is transformed into a walking/runningfootwear or heeling apparatus, as discussed above.

In one embodiment, the wheeled footwear 1000 may also include a wheellocking mechanism (not illustrated) coupled to the rear axle or opening1023. The locking mechanism prevents rotation of the rear wheel 1034when the locking mechanism is in a locked position, thereby preventingany inadvertent rolling of the heel wheel 1034.

The wheeled footwear 1000 may be generally described as having the sole1030 and an upper part 1032. The upper part 1032 may be constructed ofvirtually any material such as, for example, leather, plastic, orcanvas. The sole 1030 may include three parts: (1) an inner sole orinsole (not illustrated in FIG. 1); (2) a midsole; and (3) an outer soleor outsole. The insole may provide added cushion and may or may not beremovable. Although an athletic shoe is illustrated, the presentinvention may be implemented in virtually any footwear, irrespective ofthe design or the make-up of the sole 1030. Various styles of footwearand methods of making footwear are known in the art and are known by oneof ordinary skill in the art.

It should also be understood that although the position of the cavity oropening 1023 in the bottom of the sole 1030, and hence also the wheel1034, is preferably located in the heel portion 1026 of the sole 1030,such an opening may also be located at the boundary of the heel portion1026 and the arch portion 1020. The opening in the bottom of the sole1030 may extend entirely through the sole 1030, e.g., through theoutsole, the midsole and the insole, or only partially through the sole1030, e.g., through the outsole, and a portion or all of the midsole.

FIG. 27 is a bottom view of one embodiment of another wheeled footwear2000 that includes a front wheel assembly 2054 that attaches at the archportion of the footwear through a screw 2056. The front wheel assembly2054 may be made of a supporting structure with a material such as apolymer, metal or steel that can provide, in certain embodiments, asuspension effect and torsion control, such as a leaf spring effect,while still providing rigidity where needed, such as through the use ofangled steel, when using the wheeled footwear 2000. The front wheelassembly 2054 includes left front wheel 2046 and right front wheel 2050mounted through a support member 2042. The coupling of the front wheelassembly to the wheeled footwear may provide a structural connectionwith the heel bracket that is provided in the opening of the heelportion to support the rear heel wheel 2034. This structural (ormechanical) connection is not visible entirely in FIG. 27, but is shownbelow in connection with FIG. 33.

FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the wheeled footwear 2000 of FIG. 27 withthe front wheel assembly 2054, the heel wheel 2034, and the heel brake2035 not installed. Indentations 2020 are shown on the surface of theforefoot portion 2060 that match with the various members of the frontwheel assembly 2054 to provide a more secure connection when coupledtogether. The heel brake 2035 is shown detached from the portion of theheel portion that resides behind the opening in the heel portion toreceive the rear heel wheel 2034.

FIG. 29 is a side view of the wheeled footwear 2000 of FIG. 28 in aheeling apparatus mode. This allows a user to walk or run and transitionto heel rolling by shifting weight to the heel portion and elevating theforefoot portion. A receiving indentation 2068 for receiving a left sidesupport member 2071 of the front wheel assembly.

FIG. 30 is a perspective, partially unassembled view of a front wheelassembly 2054 according to one implementation. Right front wheel 2050 isshown rotatably coupled to a right side support member, and a left frontwheel 2046 is shown uncoupled from a left axle 2083 of the left sidesupport member 2071. A spoke wheel is shown, but any of a variety ofwheels may be used.

FIG. 31 is a side view of the wheeled footwear 2000 of FIG. 27 in rollerskate mode.

FIG. 32 is a front view of the wheeled footwear 2000 of FIG. 31 thatillustrates the flexible forefoot portion 2060 with the indentions shownsuch that the a portion of the forefoot 2060 can extend above thesupporting structure of the front wheel assembly 2054. This is asignificant capability by allowing the user's foot to move in a normalmanner even while skating, as compared to the rigid structures found inmost in-line or quad roller skates which prohibit such movement.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing one implementation of the frontwheel assembly 2054 interfacing with an arch tab (or tab) 2057 of theheel bracket 2035. This demonstrates a structural coupling of the frontwheel assembly 2054 to the heel bracket 2035. The interface or couplingis provide preferably at the arch portion of the footwear, but could beprovided in other locations of the sole. This coupling provides anintegrated mechanical linkage to maintain the relative position of thefront wheels and the back wheel(s), while also providing some suspensionand torsion control to the front wheels. The transverse member 2099 ofthe front wheel assembly 2054 may be made of spring steel, in oneembodiment, to allow for deflection and suspension without permanentdeformation of this member. This may be thought of as acting as a “leafspring” between the two front axles used to support the front wheels andas shown. Further, the two structural members 2111 and 2112 of the frontwheel assembly 2054 that extend to the coupling at the arch portion ofthe sole may provide torsion control to the front wheels. The heelbracket 2035, in a preferred embodiment, is made of a polymericmaterial, but can be made of metal and various other materials with thedesired properties.

FIGS. 34-40 are various views of another wheeled footwear 3000,including a removable front wheel assembly 3042 that removably couplesto the arch portion through a spring biased mechanism 3500 to aid withinstallation and removal of the front wheel assembly 3042, as shown inFIG. 34. The wheeled footwear 3000 is shown without the front wheelassembly 3042 mounted next to the forefoot portion 3060 in FIG. 35,while FIG. 36 illustrates the front wheel assembly 3042 relative to thewheeled footwear 3000 and the forefoot portion 3068. A notched tab 3510of the front wheel assembly 3042 is shown along with an opening 3520 ofthe spring biased mechanism 3500 to illustrate an exemplary couplingthat may be used in the arch portion of the footwear of the wheeledfootwear 3000. A close-up of this interface or coupling is shown in FIG.37.

Referring back to FIG. 36, a flexible member 3600, such as a nylon,polymer, or polyurethane member, such as a washer and/or a sleeve of adesired durometer or hardness may be provided at the axle/wheelconnection or junction to provide some slight steering or turningcapability to the front wheels. Referring now to FIGS. 39 and 40, aclose-up view of this interface is shown to provide an exemplaryimplementation of this feature that may be provided in the wheeledfootwear 3000. Other arrangements may be provided to achieve a desiredturning effect.

It should be noted that the front wheels of the wheeled footwearillustrated herein as viewed from the top are generally in alignmentwith one another and are, preferably, not positioned in front of thefootwear. In alternative embodiments, the left front wheel adjacent theside of the forefoot portion of the footwear may be closer to the frontor the back as compared to the right front wheel. This may be referredto as staggered front wheel positioning. Further, the positioning of thefront wheels adjacent the sides of the forefoot of the wheeled footwearmay be mounted to provide desired toe-in, tow-out, and positive andnegative caster and camber.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance withthe present invention, a wheeled footwear, such as three wheel rollerskate and associated methods, including a removable front wheel assemblyand rear heel wheel in certain implementations that satisfies one ormore of the advantages set forth above. Although the preferredembodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood thatvarious changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereinwithout departing from the scope of the present invention, even if allof the advantages and benefits identified above are not present. Forexample, the various embodiments and examples shown in the drawings anddescriptions provided herein illustrate that the present invention maybe implemented and embodied in numerous different ways that still fallwithin the scope of the present invention, whether expressly shownherein or not. For example, the various elements or components may becombined or integrated in another system or certain features may not beimplemented. Also, the techniques, systems, sub-systems, and methodsdescribed and illustrated in the preferred embodiment as discrete orseparate may be combined or integrated with other systems, designs,techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. For example, the front wheels may independently attach to theforefoot portion of the sole, or the front wheels may be integrated aspart of a front wheel assembly, which may be attached to the sole of thefootwear, either permanently, removably or as part of the footwear.Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are readilyascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. An apparatus for rolling on a surface, the apparatus comprising: afootwear that includes: an upper portion, a sole positioned below theupper portion that includes: a forefoot portion with a bottom surface, aleft side and a right side, an arch portion, and a heel portion with abottom surface, and an opening formed in the bottom surface of the heelportion of the sole; at least one heel wheel rotatably mounted anddisposed at least partially in the opening of the sole of the footwearand partially below the bottom surface of the heel portion of the soleof the footwear; a left front wheel rotatably positioned adjacent theleft side of at least a portion of the forefoot portion of the sole ofthe footwear such that a portion of the left front wheel contacts thesurface and such that at least a portion of the bottom surface of theforefoot portion of the sole is elevated above the surface; and a rightfront wheel rotatably positioned adjacent the right side of at least aportion of the forefoot portion of the sole of the footwear such that aportion of the right front wheel contacts the surface and such that atleast a portion of the bottom surface of the forefoot portion of thesole is elevated above the surface, and wherein a user may roll usingthe apparatus while the at least one heel wheel, the left front wheel,and the right front wheel contact the surface, wherein the right frontwheel, the left front wheel and the at least one heel wheel are operableto roll at the same time on the surface for the user to skate on thesurface using the apparatus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the atleast one heel wheel is removably disposed such that the at least oneheel wheel may be removed entirely from the opening in a first state,and reside at least partially in the opening in a second state.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one heel wheel is permanentlydisposed at least partially in the opening.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the at least one heel wheel is retractably disposed in theopening, and wherein the at least one wheel may reside entirely withinthe opening in one state, and at least partially outside the opening inanother state.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the left front wheelis removably positioned adjacent the left side of the forefoot portionof the sole of the forefoot, and the right front wheel is removablypositioned adjacent the right side of the forefoot portion of the soleof the forefoot.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: afront wheel assembly positioned at least partially adjacent the forefootportion of the sole of the forefoot, and wherein the front wheelassembly includes: the left front wheel, a left wheel support operableto support the left front wheel adjacent the left side of the forefootportion of the sole of the forefoot, the right front wheel, a rightwheel support operable to support the right front wheel adjacent theright side of the forefoot portion of the sole of the forefoot, and asupport frame positioned adjacent the sole of the footwear, and coupledto the left wheel support and the right wheel support.
 7. The apparatusof claim 6, wherein the front wheel assembly is removably coupled to thesole of the footwear such that the front wheel assembly, which includesthe front left wheel and the right front wheel, may be removed from theapparatus.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the front wheel assemblyis removably coupled to the arch portion of the sole of the footwearsuch that the front wheel assembly may be removed from the apparatus. 9.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support frame of the front wheelassembly extends across at least a portion of the bottom surface of theforefoot portion of the sole of the footwear and provides structuralsupport to support at least a portion of the user's weight.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the support frame of the front wheelassembly extends across at least a portion of the bottom surface of theforefoot portion of the sole of the footwear, and the combination of thesupport frame, the left wheel support, and the right wheel support areoperable to provide at least a partial suspension to the apparatus asthe user rolls.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least oneheel wheel is removably coupled to the opening in the heel such thatboth the at least one heel wheel and the front wheel assembly areremovably coupled to the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is operable tobe used as conventional footwear in a first state with the at least oneheel wheel and the front wheel assembly removed from the apparatus,wherein the apparatus is operable to be used as a heeling apparatus in asecond state with the at least one heel wheel positioned at leastpartially in the opening in the heel portion of the sole and the frontwheel assembly removed from the apparatus, and wherein the apparatus isoperable to be used as a skate in a third state with the at least oneheel wheel and the front wheel assembly are coupled to the apparatus andoperable to roll on the surface.
 12. The apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe support frame includes spring steel operable to elastically deformwhen a load is applied through the weight of the user, and to retain itsoriginal shape after the load is removed.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the support frame of the front wheel assembly includes: aconnecting member, a right support member having a first end and asecond end, the right support member coupled to the right wheel supportat the first end of the right support member, and a left support memberhaving a first end and a second end, the left support member coupled tothe left wheel support at the first end of the left support member,wherein the connecting member couples between the right support memberand the left support member, and wherein the right support member andthe left support member couple near or adjacent their respective secondends.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the support frame couplesto the footwear through the bottom of the sole of the footwear.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the support frame couples to the footwearadjacent the arch portion of the sole of the footwear.
 16. The apparatusof claim 6, further comprising a toe start coupled adjacent the supportframe and positioned near the front of the bottom surface of theforefoot portion of the sole of the footwear, wherein the toe start isoperable to be placed on the surface to allow the user to push off thesurface.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heel brakepositioned behind the opening in the heel portion of the sole of thefootwear.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the heel brake isremovably coupled to the footwear.
 19. The apparatus of claim 6, furthercomprising a heel bracket positioned at least partially in the openingin the heel portion and operable to receive the at least one heel wheel,the heel bracket including an arch tab that extends adjacent the archportion of the sole, wherein the front wheel assembly is removablycoupled to the arch portion of the sole through a coupling at leastpartially with the support frame and the arch tab of the heel bracket.20. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a heel bracketpositioned at least partially in the opening in the heel portion andoperable to receive the at least one heel wheel, the heel bracketincluding a tab portion that extends adjacent the opening in the heelportion, wherein the front wheel assembly is removably coupled to thesole through a coupling at least partially with the support frame andthe tab portion of the heel bracket.
 21. The apparatus of claim 6,further comprising a heel bracket positioned at least partially in theopening in the heel portion and operable to receive the at least oneheel wheel, the heel bracket including a tab portion that extendsadjacent the opening in the heel portion, wherein the front wheelassembly is releasably coupled to the sole through a coupling at leastpartially with the support frame and the tab portion of the heelbracket, and using a notched member coupled to the support frame. 22.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the sole includes a bottom surfacewith indentations, and wherein the support frame couples adjacent thesole of the footwear at least partially through the bottom surfaceindentations of the sole.
 23. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein theforefoot portion of the sole of the footwear is flexible.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 23, wherein the flexible forefoot is operable to flexaway from at least a portion of the support frame.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the left front wheel and the right front wheel useprecision bearings positioned around a center opening and an axle to berotatably positioned adjacent at least a portion of the sides of theforefoot portion of the sole.
 26. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein theleft front wheel and the right front wheel use precision bearingspositioned around a center opening and an axle to be rotatablypositioned adjacent at least a portion of the sides of the forefootportion of the sole, and wherein at least one flexible member ispositioned at or near the coupling between the left front wheel and theleft wheel support to provide some steering effect for the left frontwheel when in use, and at least one flexible member is positioned at ornear the coupling between the right front wheel and the right wheelsupport to provide some steering effect for the right front wheel whenin use.
 27. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the front wheel assemblyfurther includes: a left coupling member operable to releasably couplethe left wheel support adjacent the left side of the forefoot portion ofthe sole of the forefoot; and a right coupling member operable toreleasably couple the right wheel support adjacent the right side of theforefoot portion of the sole of the forefoot.
 28. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the at least one heel wheel includes one wheel.
 29. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one heel wheel includes twowheels.
 30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one heelwheel includes a sphere.
 31. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a left wheel support coupled to the sole of the footwear andoperable to support the left front wheel adjacent the left side of theforefoot portion of the sole of the forefoot; and a right wheel supportcoupled to the sole of the footwear and operable to support the rightfront wheel adjacent the right side of the forefoot portion of the soleof the forefoot.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the left wheelsupport couples to the left front wheel using a first axle and bearingassembly, and the right wheel support couples to the right front wheelusing a second axle and bearing assembly.
 33. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein one of the left front wheel and the right front wheel ispositioned closer to the front of the forefoot of the sole of thefootwear than the other front wheel.
 34. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a brake pad operable to engage the surface forbraking when a user transfers weight to the brake pad positionedadjacent the forefoot portion of the sole to bring the footwear from arolling mode to a stop.
 35. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprisinga brake pad operable to engage the surface for braking when a usertransfers weight to the brake pad positioned adjacent the forefootportion of the sole to bring the footwear from a rolling mode to a stop,and wherein the brake pad is coupled to the front wheel assembly. 36.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the left front wheeland the right front wheel has camber.
 37. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one of the left front wheel and the right front wheelhas either toe-in or toe-out orientation.
 38. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one of the left front wheel and the right front wheelhas either positive caster or negative caster.
 39. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein when the front wheel assembly is removed, the forefootportion is operable to engage the surface for walking and running and isinoperable for rolling on the surface, and when the primary contact ofthe footwear with the surface is provided by the forefoot portion, thefootwear does not roll even though the at least one heel wheel contactsthe surface in addition to the forefoot portion.
 40. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the right front wheel rotates on a first axis ofrotation, and the left front wheel rotates on a second axis of rotation,and wherein when the apparatus is in use, a portion of a forefootportion of a user's foot is positioned within the upper portion of thefootwear between the left front wheel and the right front wheel suchthat the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation arepositioned above at least a bottom portion of the forefoot portion ofthe user's foot positioned between the left front wheel and the rightfront wheel when viewed from the side.
 41. The apparatus of claim 40,the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are similarin position above the surface when viewed from the side.
 42. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the right front wheel rotates on a firstaxis of rotation, and the left front wheel rotates on a second axis ofrotation, and wherein when the apparatus is in use, a portion of aforefoot portion of a user's foot is positioned within the upper portionof the footwear between the left front wheel and the right front wheelsuch that the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation arepositioned below at least a bottom portion of the forefoot portion ofthe user's foot positioned between the left front wheel and the rightfront wheel when viewed from the side.
 43. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the right front wheel rotates on a first axis of rotation, andthe left front wheel rotates on a second axis of rotation, and whereinwhen the apparatus is in use, a portion of a forefoot portion of auser's foot is positioned within the upper portion of the footwearbetween the left front wheel and the right front wheel such that thefirst axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are positioned adistance above the surface that is close to the distance above thesurface of at least a bottom portion of the forefoot portion of theuser's foot positioned between the left front wheel and the right frontwheel when viewed from the side.
 44. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe right front wheel rotates on a first axis of rotation, and the leftfront wheel rotates on a second axis of rotation, and wherein when theapparatus is in use, a portion of a forefoot portion of a user's foot ispositioned within the upper portion of the footwear between the leftfront wheel and the right front wheel such that the first axis ofrotation and the second axis of rotation are positioned a distance abovethe surface that is within one-half inch from the distance above thesurface of at least a bottom portion of the forefoot portion of theuser's foot positioned between the left front wheel and the right frontwheel when viewed from the side.
 45. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe right front wheel rotates on a first axis of rotation, and the leftfront wheel rotates on a second axis of rotation, and wherein when theapparatus is in use, a portion of a forefoot portion of a user's foot ispositioned within the upper portion of the footwear between the leftfront wheel and the right front wheel such that the first axis ofrotation and the second axis of rotation are positioned a distance abovethe surface that is within one-quarter of an inch from the distanceabove the surface of at least a bottom portion of the forefoot portionof the user's foot positioned between the left front wheel and the rightfront wheel when viewed from the side.
 46. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein a forward most portion of the right front wheel and the leftfront wheel does not extend past the front of the footwear.
 47. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a grind plate positionedadjacent the arch portion of the sole of the forefoot.
 48. A footwearfor walking, running and rolling on a surface, the footwear comprising:a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an arch portion, acavity formed in the sole portion; at least one rear wheel rotatablymounted on a rear axle and disposed at least partially in the cavity,the rear wheel positioned at least partially inside the cavity; a frontwheel assembly removably mounted on the forefoot portion, the frontwheel assembly having at least two front wheels rotatably mounted on aleft front axle and a right front axle such that each of the two frontwheels rotate beside a peripheral edge of the forefoot portion; a brakepad operable to engage the surface for braking when a user transfersweight to the brake pad positioned adjacent the forefoot portion of thesole to bring the footwear from a rolling mode to a stop, wherein whenthe front wheel assembly is removed, the forefoot portion is operable toengage the surface for walking and running and is inoperable for rollingon the surface, and the primary contact of the footwear with the surfaceis provided by the forefoot portion and as such the footwear does notroll, and wherein when the front wheel assembly is mounted, the forefootportion is inoperable to engage the surface for walking and running, andthe front wheel assembly and the rear wheel are operable for rolling onthe surface.
 49. A footwear of claim 48, further comprising a bracehaving a bar disposed transversely on the forefoot portion of the soleof the footwear and two upwardly extending arms each at opposite ends ofthe bar, the upwardly extending arms having receiving brackets adaptedto engage the front wheel assembly.
 50. The footwear of claim 48 whereinthe front wheel assembly includes a support member positioned on thebottom of the forefoot portion of the sole of the footwear that extendsfrom a left side to a right side, and two upwardly extending portionseach at opposite ends of the support member, wherein the front wheelsare rotatably mounted on the left front axle and the right front axle atthe upwardly extending portions such that the axis of rotation of thefront wheels remain elevated relative to the support member.
 51. Thefootwear of claim 48 wherein the brake pad is coupled to the front wheelassembly.
 52. A method for rolling on a surface with a wheeled footwear,the wheeled footwear including a sole having a forefoot portion, a heelportion and an arch portion positioned between the forefoot portion andthe heel portion, a cavity formed in the heel portion of the sole, atleast one rear wheel rotatably mounted on an axle and disposed at leastpartially inside the cavity, a front wheel assembly mounted on theforefoot portion, the front wheel assembly having at least two frontwheels rotatably mounted on an axle such that each of the two frontwheels rotate beside an outer peripheral edge of the forefoot portion,the method comprising: moving in a forward direction; and alternativelytransferring weight from one foot to another foot thereby generating aforward motion causing the wheels to roll and, hence, the user to rollon the surface using the wheeled footwear.
 53. A method for using anapparatus to roll on a surface using a roller skate, to transition froma roller skate to a heel roller skate, and to roll on the surface usinga heel roller skate, the apparatus including a wheeled footwear thatincludes a sole having a forefoot portion, a heel portion and an archportion, a cavity formed in the heel portion of the sole, at least onerear wheel rotatably mounted on an axle that is positioned at leastpartially inside the cavity, a removable front wheel assembly mounted onthe forefoot portion, the front wheel assembly having at least two frontwheels rotatably mounted on an axle such that each of the two frontwheels rotate beside an outer peripheral edge of the forefoot portion,the method comprising: rolling on the surface using the apparatus as aroller skate and including the at least two front wheels and the atleast one rear wheel; removing the front wheel assembly of theapparatus, which includes the at least two front wheels, and maintainingthe at least one rear wheel that is positioned at least partially in thecavity of the heel portion of the sole; and heel rolling on the surfaceby elevating the forefoot portion of the wheeled footwear above thesurface to allow the at least one rear wheel to roll.